ERASYNBIO'S DEFINITION OF SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY

Synthetic Biology is the engineering of biology:the deliberate (re)design and construction of novelbiological and biologically based parts, devices and systems to perform new functions for useful purposes,that draws on principles elucidated from biology and engineering.

DEVELOPMENT AND COORDINATION OF SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY IN THE EUROPEAN RESEARCH AREA

ERASynBio aims at promoting the development of synthetic biology by structuring and coordinating national efforts and investment, with the final goal of creating a sound European research community in the field avoiding national fragmentation from the very start.

ERASynBio Initiative

ERASynBio is an initiative of international funding agencies working together to promote the robust development of Synthetic Biology and to structure and coordinate national efforts and funding programs. The network was created in 2012 and funded as an ERA-Net by the European Commission under FP7 until 2014. From 2015 onwards, ERASynBio will operate as a self-sustainable initiative (i.e. without the financial support of the EC), with most ERA-Net partners continuing their collaboration in the next years.

Along with the 2 joint calls, several supporting measures were initiated by ERASynBio in order to support the development of high quality Synthetic Biology research. One major effort was the development of a Strategic Vision accompanied by a series of targeted recommendations designed to empower national and international funding organizations, policy bodies and other stakeholders.

It is the aim of the ERASynBio initiative to further support joint activities that focus on transnational coordination, capacity building, sharing resources and facilities, and - last but not least - joint calls for proposals in the field of synthetic biology.

Coordinator

Current news

July 2016: Summer Schools in Scotland and Tuscany

31.03.2016

In July 2016, two summer schools dealing with the topic of Synthetic Biology will take place (Registration recommanded until end of March 2016):

Applications are now open for the 2016 Synthetic Genome Summer Course - a one-week residential summer school package in Edinburgh, UK from Sunday 3rd July – Saturday 9th July 2016 consisting of a 5-day workshop & a 2-day major international conference, suitable for people in research, industry, for students, DIYbio and more. The summer course is relevant for people at any stage in their career looking to expand their knowledge and skills in synthetic biology and genome engineering.

The 3rd International Synthetic and Systems Biology Summer School (SSBSS 2016) is a full-immersion five-day residential summer school at the Volterra Learning Center (Pisa - Tuscany, Italy) from Friday 8th July - Thursday 14th July 2016 on cutting-edge advances in systems and synthetic biology with lectures delivered by world-renowned experts. The school provides a stimulating environment for students (from Master students to PhD students), Post-Docs, early career researches, academics and industry leaders. Participants will also have the chance to present their results (with Oral Talks and Posters), and to interact with their peers, in a friendly and constructive environment.